Enhanced nutrient removal by oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) control in laboratory-scale extended aeration reactors

A study was conducted to examine N and P removal by a laboratory-scale extended aeration treatment system employing oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) controlled aeration. The system was provided with a 90-L aeration tank. When ORP controlled aeration was applied, the aeration tank was divided into three zones, namely the ORP zone (45 L), the anaerobic zone (27 L) and the aerobic zone (18 L). An external anoxic selector of 3.8 L in volume was also added. An ORP set point of 70 mV was used for the ORP zone. The extended aeration treatment system operating without the ORP controlled aeration was used as the control.COD removal (97%) was not affected, but both N and P removal were enhanced significantly in the ORP reactor. Total N removal efficiency was increased from 49.1% (control) to 83.5%. Almost all P was captured (99%), leaving an average of 0.09 mg L⁻¹ P in the effluent. The ORP reactor yielded a sludge P content of 3.1%, compared to only 1.8% for the control. This indicated luxury P uptake in ORP reactor. Very significant P release and denitrification were found in the anoxic selector. Fairly good simultaneous nitrification and denitrification had occurred in the ORP zone. However, P release was very limited in the anoxic zone. However, anoxic P uptake and nitrification were found in this zone.Low F/M bulking was observed in both the control and ORP operation before the installation of a selector. Bacterial Type 0041 was identified as the predominant bulking organism. For the Control, an aerobic selector cured the bulking problem in one sludge age while an anoxic selector fixed up the problem during the ORP operation.     

Fed-batch and batch operating mode analysis of a stirred anaerobic sequencing reactor with self-immobilized biomass treating low-strength wastewater

This work presents an analysis of a stirred anaerobic sequencing discontinuous reactor with different substrate feeding strategies resulting in batch, fed-batch/batch and fed-batch operating modes. The reactor, containing granulated biomass, was fed with approximately 2.0L of synthetic domestic wastewater with Chemical Oxygen Demand of nearly 500 mg/L per cycle and operated at 30 degrees C and 50 rpm. Three feeding strategies with a total cycle time of 6 h, including 30-min settling, were adopted: batch mode with a fill cycle of 6 min, a fed-batch/batch mode with fill cycles of 60, 120 and 240 min and fed-batch mode with a fill cycle of 320 min. The system attained average non-filtered and filtered substrate removal efficiency of 78 and 84%, respectively, for all operating conditions, presenting good stability, solid retention and no granule break-up. A first order kinetic model with a residual organic matter concentration was proposed to analyze the influence of the feeding strategy on the performance during a cycle and bicarbonate alkalinity and total volatile acids concentration profiles were also quantified in order to verify the transient stability behavior.     

Kinetic of carbonaceous substrate in an upflow anaerobic sludge sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating 2,4 dichlorophenol (2,4 DCP)

The performance of an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating 2,4 dichlorophenol (2,4 DCP) was evaluated at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) using synthetic wastewater in order to obtain the growth substrate (glucose-COD) and 2,4 DCP removal kinetics. Treatment efficiencies of the UASB reactor were investigated at different hydraulic retention times (2-20 h) corresponding to a food to mass (F/M) ratio of 1.2-1.92 g-COD g(-1) VSS day(-1). A total of 65-83% COD removal efficiencies were obtained at HRTs of 2-20 h. In all, 83% and 99% 2,4 DCP removals were achieved at the same HRTs in the UASB reactor. Conventional Monod, Grau Second-order and Modified Stover-Kincannon models were applied to determine the substrate removal kinetics of the UASB reactor. The experimental data obtained from the kinetic models showed that the Monod kinetic model is more appropriate for correlating the substrate removals compared to the other models for the UASB reactor. The maximum specific substrate utilization rate (k) (mg-COD mg(-1) SS day(-1)), half-velocity concentration (K(s)) (mg COD l(-1)), growth yield coefficient (Y) (mg mg(-1)) and bacterial decay coefficient (b) (day(-1)) were 0.954 mg-COD mg(-1) SS day(-1), 560.29 mg-COD l(-1), 0.78 mg-SS g(-1)-COD, 0.093 day(-1) in the Conventional Monod kinetic model. The second-order kinetic coefficient (k(2)) was calculated as 0.26 day(-1) in the Grau reaction kinetic model. The maximum COD removal rate constant (U(max)) and saturation value (K(B)) were calculated as 7.502 mg CODl(-1)day(-1) and 34.56 mg l(-1)day(-1) in the Modified Stover-Kincannon Model. The (k)(mg-2,4 DCP mg(-1) SS day(-1)), (K(s)) (mg 2,4 DCPl(-1)), (Y) (mg SS mg(-1) 2,4 DCP) and (k(d)) (day(-1)) were 0.0041 mg-2,4 DCP mg(-1) SS day(-1), 2.06 mg-COD l(-1), 0.0017 mg-SS mg(-1) 2,4 DCP and 3.1 x 10(-5) day(-1) in the Conventional Monod kinetic model for 2,4 DCP degradation. The second-order kinetic coefficient (k(2)) was calculated as 0.30 day(-1) in the Grau reaction kinetic model. The maximum 2,4 DCP removal rate constant (U(max)) and saturation value (K(B)) were calculated as 0.01 mg COD l(-1) day(-1) and 9.8 x 10(-3) mg l(-1) day(-1) in the Modified Stover-Kincannon model.     

Adsorption and transport of arsenic(V) in experimental subsurface systems

The adsorption and transport of As(V) in a heterogeneous, iron oxide-containing soil was investigated in batch and column laboratory experiments. The As(V) adsorbed rapidly to the soil over the first 48 h, but continued to adsorb slowly over the next several weeks, clearly indicating the potential for rate-limited transport. The equilibrium As(V) adsorption isotherm was markedly nonlinear, further indicating the potential for nonideal transport. A model developed for the adsorption of As(V) to hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) was able to predict the pH-dependent adsorption of As(V) to the soil in batch experiments within 0.116 to 0.726 root mean square error (RMSE). Arsenic(V) was significantly retarded in column transport experiments. The column transport experiments were modeled using the one-dimensional advection-dispersion equation, considering both linear and nonlinear adsorption equilibrium. Although the nonlinear local equilibrium model (NLLE, RMSE = 0.273) predicted the data better than the linear local equilibrium model (LLE, RMSE = 0.317), As(V) breakthrough occurred more rapidly than predicted by either model due to adsorption nonequilibrium. However, due to the presence of an irreversible or slowly desorbing fraction, the peak aqueous As(V) concentration (0.624 mg L(-1)) and the total amount of As(V) recovered (44%) was lower than predicted based on the two equilibrium models (NLLE and LLE). For the conditions used in this study [1 mg L(-1) As(V), pH 4.5 and 9,0-0.25 mM PO4, 0.53-1.6 cm min(-1) pore water velocity], the effect on As(V) mobility and recovery increased in the order pH < pore water velocity < PO4.     

Reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethene in a sand reactor using a potentiostat

In this study, an electrochemical system was investigated to enhance abiotic dechlorination of chlorinated solvents in contaminated soil in situ. A potentiostatic electrolysis sand reactor was developed and tested to evaluate tetrachloroethene (PCE) dechlorination in saturated sand. When operated with recirculating nutrient-supplemented water the reactor sustained a low oxidation reduction potential (ORP) at the cathode (<-400 mV standard hydrogen electrode [SHE]), a pH less than 9.4, and electric current >5 mA at room temperature with the cathodic potential controlled at -950 mV SHE. Tetrachloroethene in the electrolysis reactor had a half-life of 6.8 d compared with the control bioreactor without electrolysis, which had a PCE half-life of 16.4 d. Ethane and ethene were the main dechlorination products in the test reactor, while trichloroethene (TCE) accumulated in the nutrient-amended control reactor without electrolysis. An electrolysis reactor operated with water not amended with nutrients showed a PCE half-life of 7.6 d, suggesting that most of dechlorination activity in the reactor was abiotic. Since complete dechlorination can be achieved under moderate pH and temperature, this type of electrolysis technology is attractive as a remedial method for subsurface chloroethene contamination.     

BATCH REACTOR UNVEGETATED WETLAND PERFORMANCE IN TREATING DAIRY WASTEWATER1

ABSTRACT: Wetlands that treat holding pond effluent can be designed to utilize the pond storage capacity to allow flexibility in system management. Management of a wetland as a sequencing batch reactor can simplify operation and control detention times, but little performance data on such systems are available. The objective of this study was to evaluate the batch reactor wetland concept by quantifying removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended sediments (TSS), total nitrogen (TN), ammonium (NH₄), nitrate (NO₃), total phosphorus (TP), and orthophosphate (PO₄) and by assessing the suitability of first‐order kinetics. Weekly samples were collected following batch loadings of wetland cells with high concentration or low concentration dairy holding pond wastewater during both fall and spring seasons. During three‐week batch periods without plants, overall mass removal averaged 54 percent for COD, 58 percent for TSS, 90 percent for TN, 72 percent for NH₄, ‐54 percent for NO₃, 38 percent for TP, and ‐8 percent for PO₄. Best fit, first‐order kinetic rate constant (k) and background concentration (C*) for COD varied by season, with k = 0.024/d and C*= 0 mg/l in fall and k = 0.056/d and C*= 200 mg/l in spring. Ammonium exhibited a consistent C*= 0 mg/l but had variable rate constants of k = 0.121/d for low concentration treatments and k = 0.079/d for high concentration treatments. Using first‐order kinetics was also appropriate for TN, with k = 0.061/d and C*= 0 mg/l for all loadings and seasons, but was not consistently appropriate for TP or PO₄. These results support the use of first‐order kinetics to describe treatment in batch reactor wastewater treatment wetlands without vegetation, perhaps during the establishment phase or in open water zones of vegetated wetlands. Further work is needed to assess the effects of vegetation.     

Atrazine sorption-desorption hysteresis by sugarcane mulch residue

Sorption and desorption kinetics are essential components for modeling the movement and retention of applied agricultural chemicals in soils and the fraction of chemicals susceptible to runoff. In this study, we investigated the retention characteristics of sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) mulch residue for atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethylamino-6-isopropylamino-1,3,5-triazine) based on studies of sorption-desorption kinetics. A sorption kinetic batch method was used to quantify retention of the mulch residue for a wide range of atrazine concentrations and reaction times. Desorption was performed following 504 h of sorption using successive dilutions, followed by methanol extraction. Atrazine retention by the mulch residue was well described using a linear model where the partitioning coefficient (K(d)) increased with reaction time from 10.40 to 23.4 cm3 g(-1) after 2 and 504 h, respectively. Values for mulch residue K(d) were an order of magnitude higher than those found for Commerce silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, superactive, nonacid, thermic Fluvaquentic Endoaquepts) where the sugarcane crop was grown. A kinetic multireaction model was successful in describing sorption behavior with reaction time. The model was equally successful in describing observed hysteretic atrazine behavior during desorption for all input concentrations. The model was concentration independent where one set of model parameters, which was derived from all batch results, was valid for the entire atrazine concentration range. Average atrazine recovery following six successive desorption steps were 63.67 +/- 4.38% of the amount adsorbed. Moreover, a hysteresis coefficient based on the difference in the area between sorption and desorption isotherms was capable of quantifying hysteresis of desorption isotherms.     

A simplified model for the steady-state biofilm-activated sludge reactor

A simplified mathematical model is proposed to describe the steady-state completely mixed biofilm-activated sludge reactor (hybrid reactor). The model is derived based on Monod kinetic expressions and the Fickian diffusion law in biofilm. In addition, it considers all the essential concepts that describe the two types of growth (suspended and attached) and the competition between them for limiting substrate. Also the present study has been extended to investigate simple and accurate mathematical expressions for describing the substrate diffusion in biofilm (J). The expression for substrate flux has an explicit solution, which may be useful in the proposed model and many other applications. The application of the model for the hybrid system has been explained for a given set of data and verified by comparison with another solution. Also the model was applied to experimental results for a trace level of suspended biomass concentration (X). It was found that the biofilm flux (J) is the key factor in the model prediction, hence the accuracy of the model output is influenced by the accuracy of J. Compared with other solutions for such systems the model is simple, easy to use, and provides an accurate tool for describing such systems based on fundamental principles.     

Influence of organic loading on an anaerobic sequencing biofilm batch reactor (ASBBR) as a function of cycle period and wastewater concentration

The effect of organic loading on the performance of a mechanically stirred anaerobic sequencing biofilm batch reactor (ASBBR) has been investigated, by varying influent concentration and cycle period. For microbial immobilization 1-cm polyurethane foam cubes were used. An agitation rate of 500 rpm and temperature of 30+/-2 degrees C were employed. Organic loading rates (OLR) of 1.5-6.0gCODl(-1)d(-1) were applied to the 6.3-l reactor treating 2.0 l synthetic wastewater in 8 and 12-h batches and at concentrations of 500-2000mgCODl(-1), making it possible to analyze the effect of these two operation variables for the same organic loading range. Microbial immobilization on inert support maintained approximately 60 gTVS in the reactor. Filtered sample organic COD removal efficiencies ranged from 73 to 88% for organic loading up to 5.4gCODl(-1)d(-1). For higher organic loading (influent concentration of 2000mgCODl(-1) and 8-h cycle) the system presented total volatile acids accumulation, which reduced organics removal efficiency down to 55%. In this way, ASBBR with immobilized biomass was shown to be efficient for organic removal at organic loading rates of up to 5.4gCODl(-1)d(-1) and to be more stable to organic loading variations for 12-h cycles. This reactor might be an alternative to intermittent systems as it possesses greater operational flexibility. It might also be an alternative to batch systems suspended with microorganisms since it eliminates both the uncertainties regarding granulation and the time necessary for biomass sedimentation, hence reducing the total cycle period.     

电化学反应器吸附去除氟离子的研究

采用改性活性炭粉末对用纯净水加氟化钠配制而成的含氟水溶液进行动态电吸附去除实验.研究不同电压、电吸附时间,以及Cl-和SO2-4对氟离子去除的影响,并探讨吸附动力学和吸附方程.实验结果表明:活性炭对氟离子的吸附等温方程符合Freundlich方程,吸附动力学符合一级动力学方程;活性炭对氟离子去除与所施加的电位、吸附时间等因素有关,施加的电位越大,去除效果越好;随着吸附去除时间的延长,氟离子浓度下降趋缓;Cl-对氟离子去除影响很小,而SO2-4对氟离子去除有显著的不利影响.     

Modeling effluent distribution and nitrate transport through an on-site wastewater system

Properly functioning on-site wastewater systems (OWS) are an integral component of the wastewater system infrastructure necessary to renovate wastewater before it reaches surface or ground waters. There are a large number of factors, including soil hydraulic properties, effluent quality and dispersal, and system design, that affect OWS function. The ability to evaluate these factors using a simulation model would improve the capability to determine the impact of wastewater application on the subsurface soil environment. An existing subsurface drip irrigation system (SDIS) dosed with sequential batch reactor effluent (SBRE) was used in this study. This system has the potential to solve soil and site problems that limit OWS and to reduce the potential for environmental degradation. Soil water potentials (Psi(s)) and nitrate (NO(3)) migration were simulated at 55- and 120-cm depths within and downslope of the SDIS using a two-dimensional code in HYDRUS-3D. Results show that the average measured Psi(s) were -121 and -319 cm, whereas simulated values were -121 and -322 cm at 55- and 120-cm depths, respectively, indicating unsaturated conditions. Average measured NO(3) concentrations were 0.248 and 0.176 mmol N L(-1), whereas simulated values were 0.237 and 0.152 mmol N L(-1) at 55- and 120-cm depths, respectively. Observed unsaturated conditions decreased the potential for NO(3) to migrate in more concentrated plumes away from the SDIS. The agreement (high R(2) values approximately 0.97) between the measured and simulated Psi(s) and NO(3) concentrations indicate that HYDRUS-3D adequately simulated SBRE flow and NO(3) transport through the soil domain under a range of environmental and effluent application conditions.     

Determination of dissolved oxygen limitation in aerobic biofilm reactors

The concentration of dissolved oxygen (DO) strongly influences the performance of aerobic biofilm reactors because organic oxidation is limited by the availability of oxygen. However, it is not necessary to maintain a high DO level in the reactors in order to overcome this limitation. Excessive aeration wastes energy. Therefore, the determination of the onset of DO limitation against organic substrate removal in aerobic biofilm reactors is important for their effective operation. This study is aimed at developing an expression to determine the onset of DO limitation and hence to control the aeration system. The expression developed is as follows: , where S_b and C_b are the bulk concentrations of organic substrate and DO, respectively; D_ws and D_wc are the diffusion coefficients of organic substrate and oxygen in the reactors respectively; and R_b is an overall ratio of oxygen consumption to organic substrate removal in the reactors. The latter is the key parameter in the equation, and is determined by the characteristics of the substrate, biofilm, and reactor. In order to measure the value of R_b, the authors have developed a micro-biofilm reactor. The value of R_b was determined to be 0.13 (mg O₂ mg⁻¹ COD_cr) for glucose removal with this reactor. The equation has, subsequently, been verified with data from batch and continuous experiments.     

Removal of chromium (VI) from aqueous solution using walnut hull

In this study, removal of chromium (VI) from aqueous solution by walnut hull (a local low-cost adsorbent) was studied. The extent of adsorption was investigated as a function of solution pH, contact time, adsorbent and adsorbate concentration, reaction temperature and supporting electrolyte (sodium chloride). The Cr (VI) removal was pH-dependent, reaching a maximum (97.3%) at pH 1.0. The kinetic experimental data were fitted to the first-order, modified Freundlich, intraparticle diffusion and Elovich models and the corresponding parameters were obtained. A 102.78 kJ/mol Ea (activation energy) for the reaction of chromium (VI) adsorption onto walnut indicated that the rate-limiting step in this case might be a chemically controlled process. Both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were suitable for describing the biosorption of chromium (VI) onto walnut hull. The uptake of chromium (VI) per weight of adsorbent increased with increasing initial chromium (VI) concentration up to 240-480 mg/L, and decreased sharply with increasing adsorbent concentration ranging from 1.0 to 5.0 g/L. An increase in sodium chloride (as supporting electrolyte) concentration was found to induce a negative effect while an increase in temperature was found to give rise to a positive effect on the chromium (VI) adsorption process. Compared to the various other adsorbents reported in the literature, the walnut hull in this study shows very good promise for practical applicability.     

Biological treatment of tannery wastewater in the presence of chromium

Experiments were carried out to determine the feasibility of treating tannery wastewater containing chromium, an inhibiting compound, with sequencing batch reactors (SBR). The maximum chromium concentration tolerated by microorganisms was determined through aerobic and anoxic batch experiments, and the biomass inhibition process was analyzed in a lab scale reactor at increasing chromium concentrations. The results obtained, in batch experiments and in the SBR reactor, have demonstrated that chromium addition had less influence on the denitrification bacteria than on the nitrification bacteria. In addition, it was observed that nitrification and denitrification rates, at the same chromium concentration, were higher in the SBR reactor than in batch experiments with unacclimated biomass. Experimental results confirm that sequencing batch reactors are able to produce a more resistant biomass, which acclimates quickly to inhibiting conditions. A large amount of chromium was found in the sludge from the reactor, while the effluent was devoid of the inhibiting metal.     

Effects of feeding time and organic loading in an anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor (ASBBR) treating diluted whey

An investigation was carried out on the performance of an anaerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor (ASBBR) treating diluted cheese whey when submitted to different feed strategies and volumetric organic loads (VOL). Polyurethane foam cubes were used as support for biomass immobilization and stirring was provided by helix impellers. The reactor with a working volume of 3 L treated 2 L of wastewater in 8-h cycles at 500 rpm and 30 degrees C. The organic loads applied were 2, 4, 8 and 12 g COD L(-1) d(-1), obtained by increasing the feed concentration. Alkalinity was supplemented at a ratio of 50% NaHCO(3)/COD. For each organic load applied three feed strategies were tested: (a) batch operation with 8-h cycle; (b) 2-h fed-batch operation followed by 6-h batch; and (c) 4-h fed-batch followed by 4-h batch. The 2-h fed-batch operation followed by 6-h batch presented the best results for the organic loads of 2 and 4 g COD L(-1) d(-1), whereas the 4-h fed-batch operation followed by 4-h batch presented results slightly inferior for the same organic loads and the best results at organic loads of 8 and 12 g COD L(-1) d(-1). The concentration of total volatile acids varied with fill time. For the higher fill times maximum concentrations were obtained at the end of the cycle. Moreover, no significant difference was detected in the maximum concentration of total volatile acids for any of the investigated conditions. However, the maximum values of propionic acid tended to decrease with increasing fill time considering the same organic load. Microbiological analyses revealed the presence of Methanosaeta-like structures and methanogenic hydrogenotrophic-like fluorescent bacilli. No Methanosarcina-like structures were observed in the samples.     

Anaerobic treatment of sulfate-rich wastewater in an anaerobic sequential batch reactor (AnSBR) using butanol as the carbon source

Biological sulfate reduction was studied in a laboratory-scale anaerobic sequential batch reactor (14 L) containing mineral coal for biomass attachment. The reactor was fed industrial wastewater with increasingly high sulfate concentrations to establish its application limits. Special attention was paid to the use of butanol in the sulfate reduction that originated from melamine resin production. This product was used as the main organic amendment to support the biological process. The reactor was operated for 65 cycles (48 h each) at sulfate loading rates ranging from 2.2 to 23.8 g SO(4)(2-)/cycle, which corresponds to sulfate concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 g SO(4)(2-) L(-1). The sulfate removal efficiency reached 99% at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 g SO(4)(2-) L(-1). At higher sulfate concentrations (2.0 and 3.0 g SO(4)(2-) L(-1)), the sulfate conversion remained in the range of 71-95%. The results demonstrate the potential applicability of butanol as the carbon source for the biological treatment of sulfate in an anaerobic batch reactor.     

Kinetic and equilibrium characterization of uranium(VI) adsorption onto carboxylate-functionalized poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate)-grafted lignocellulosics

This study investigated the feasibility of using a new adsorbent prepared from coconut coir pith, CP (a coir industry-based lignocellulosic residue), for the removal of uranium [U(VI)] from aqueous solutions. The adsorbent (PGCP-COOH) having a carboxylate functional group at the chain end was synthesized by grafting poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate) onto CP using potassium peroxydisulphate-sodium thiosulphite as a redox initiator and in the presence of N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide as a crosslinking agent. IR spectroscopy results confirm the graft copolymer formation and carboxylate functionalization. XRD studies confirm the decrease of crystallinity in PGCP-COOH compared to CP, and it favors the protrusion of the functional group into the aqueous medium. The thermal stability of the samples was studied using thermogravimetry (TG). Surface charge density of the samples as a function of pH was determined using potentiometric titration. The ability of PGCP-COOH to remove U(VI) from aqueous solutions was assessed using a batch adsorption technique. The maximum adsorption capacity was observed at the pH range 4.0-6.0. Maximum removal of 99.2% was observed for an initial concentration of 25mg/L at pH 6.0 and an adsorbent dose of 2g/L. Equilibrium was achieved in approximately 3h. The experimental kinetic data were analyzed using a first-order kinetic model. The temperature dependence indicates an endothermic process. U(VI) adsorption was found to decrease with an increase in ionic strength due to the formation of outer-sphere surface complexes on PGCP-COOH. Equilibrium data were best modeled by the Langmuir isotherm. The thermodynamic parameters such as DeltaG(0), DeltaH(0) and DeltaS(0) were derived to predict the nature of adsorption. Adsorption experiments were also conducted using a commercial cation exchanger, Ceralite IRC-50, with carboxylate functionality for comparison. Utility of the adsorbent was tested by removing U(VI) from simulated nuclear industry wastewater. Adsorbed U(VI) ions were desorbed effectively (about 96.2+/-3.3%) by 0.1M HCl. The adsorbent was suitable for repeated use (more than four cycles) without any noticeable loss of capacity.     

A two stage batch adsorber design for methylene blue removal to minimize contact time

The adsorption of methylene blue onto bentonite in a batch adsorber has been studied. Three kinetic models, the intraparticle diffusion equation and the pseudo first and second order equations, were selected to follow the adsorption process. Kinetic parameters, rate constants, equilibrium adsorption capacities and related correlation coefficients for each kinetic model were calculated and discussed. It was shown that the adsorption of methylene blue onto bentonite could be described by the pseudo second order equation. Adsorption of methylene blue onto bentonite followed the Langmuir isotherm. A model has been developed for the design of a two stage batch adsorber based on pseudo second order adsorption kinetics. The model has been optimized with respect to operating time in order to minimize total contact time to achieve a specified amount of methylene blue removal using a fixed mass of adsorbent. The results of two stage batch adsorber design studies showed that the required times for specified amounts of methylene blue removal significantly decreased. This design is particularly suitable for low-cost adsorbents/adsorption systems when minimising contact time is a major operational and design criterion and a significant volume of effluent needs to be treated in the minimum amount of time.     

Batch and continuous biosorption of Cu by immobilized biomass of Arthrobacter sp.

The ability of free and polysulphone immobilized biomass of Arthrobacter sp. to remove Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous solution was studied in batch and continuous systems. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to the data. The Langmuir isotherm model was found to fit the sorption data indicating that sorption was monolayer and uptake capacity (Q^o) was 175.87 and 158.7 mg/g for free and immobilized biomass respectively at pH 5.0 and 30 °C temperature, which was also confirmed by a high correlation coefficient, a low RMSE and a low Chi-square value. A kinetic study was carried out with pseudo-first-order reaction and pseudo-second-order reaction equations and it was found that the Cu²⁺ uptake process followed the pseudo-second-order rate expression. The diffusivity of Cu²⁺ on immobilized beads increased (0.402 × 10⁻⁴ to 0.435 × 10⁻⁴ cm²/s) with increasing concentration from 50 to 150 mg/L. The maximum percentage Cu²⁺ removal (89.56%) and uptake (32.64 mg/g) were found at 3.5 mL/min and 20 cm bed height. In addition to this the Bed Depth Service Time (BDST) model was in good agreement with the experimental data with a high correlation coefficient (>0.995). Furthermore, sorption and desorption studies were also carried out which showed that polysulphone immobilized biomass could be reused for up to six sorption–desorption cycles.     

FACTORS THAT AFFECT ACTIVATED SLUDGE PHOSPHATE RELEASE1

The activated sludge process can remove significant amounts of phosphorus from sewage, but the removal efficiency is usually significantly reduced by the release of phosphate back to solution during subsequent treatment steps. This research presents a study of soluble phosphate release from activated sludge with emphasis on defining the factors that affect such release and the actual release mechanisms. Laboratory units were used for experimental purposes. The experiments were designed to study the relationship between soluble phosphate release and various environmental factors such as redox potential (ORP), dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, solids concentration, solids destruction, and sulfate salt addition. The effect of substrate utilization on phosphate uptake and the relationship between uptake characteristics and subsequent phosphate release were also studied. The results show that some phosphate storage occurs during aerobic substrate utilization. Following substrate utilization, activated sludge phosphate release is directly related to the amount of biological stress the organisms are subjected to, and the mechanism of release is primarily cell lysis. The phosphate released per unit sludge under anoxic conditions is relatively constant. Under normal environmental conditions, neither ORP or pH change have a significant affect on phosphate release.